INTERNATIONAL
BIOLOGICAL STATION “LENA-NORDENSKIOLD”
The International Biological Station (IBS) “Lena-Nordenskiold” in the Lena River Delta
was set up according to the Memorandum of Mutual Undestanding between the Republic of
Sakha and WWF-Sweden. The Station was opened by Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philippe in
July, 95. The main objectives of the IBS are to organize and to undertake complex
researches of arctic ecosystems in Yakutia, observing their biodiversity, and to conduct
monitoring of the ecological situation and research sustainable use of natural resources.
The Lena River Delta is one of the key regions in the Arctic. This region is the largest
in the Arctic covering more than 28,5 thousand square kilometres. The average annual water
discharge is 16.300 cubic metres/per second.
There are practically all main landscape complexes of the Arctic in the Lena
River Delta region, especially the intrazonal valley complexes. The typical tundra
landscape is to be found in the North-West part of the Delta. The seperate islands of this
landscape are in the South-West and South-East parts of the Delta. The offshoots of
Kharaulahsky mountain range and Chekanovsky chain of hills form a complex mountain
landscape.
The flora composition in this region is comparatively rich (373 vascular plant species,
106 moss species and 74 lichen species). There is a combination of arctic, hypoarctic and
boreal elements in flora and a diversity of plant associations. It allows to research
primary producers of tundra and mountain ecosystems in geobotanical, ecological and
ecological-biochemical aspects.
The numerious bodies of water, river branches and nearness to the station of the estuary
zone, where a fresh river water and sea salt water mix, give a unique opportunity to
research, the hydrobiontes (plankton and benthos), which are the fodder (food) of valuable
salmon fishes: Stenodus leucichthys, Coregonus sardinella, Coregonus nasus, Coregonus
muksun and others. The Lena River Delta is a key place of fattening and formation of
spawning area for these fishes. The complex study of these ecosystem components is of
theoretical and practical importance.
The Lena River Delta is the main area for nesting of migratory birds in the Arctic. There
are 118 species in the avifauna. The intercontinental ties, direction and distance of the
delta birds populations probably, are unique in the Arctic. The study of the following
species is of particular interest: Bewick’s Swan (Cignus bewickii), Black Brant (Branta
bernikla), Snow Goose (Chen hyperboreus), Common (Somateria mollissima) and Steller’s
(Polysticta stelleri) Eiders, Sabine’s (Xema sabini) and Ross’s (Rhodostethia rosea)
Gulls, Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). On the biological station, it will be possible
to study the oppotunities of reacclimatizasion of Snow Goose (C. hyperboreus), which
inhabited all area of seaside tundra in Yakitia.
The fauna of mammals is represented by tundra, mountain and northern-boreal species. The
17 species of 25 inhabit permanently this region. The Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and the
Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) are the most significant species in the market of indigenous
people. Presently, the quantity of these species is decreasing for different reasons. The
Kharaulahsky population of Marmot (Marmota camschatica) is unique. There are 5 species of
sea mammals, the situation of its population, unfortunatetly, is currently unknown. The
situation of Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) which is included in “The Red Book of USSR”
and “The Red Book of Yakutia” is anxious. The number of the walrus is decreasing and,
therefore the number of breeding ground is reducing.
The location of the station is convenient to undertake the monitoring of water, mountain
and tundra ecosystems. The Lena River Delta part is a power-full acumulator of suspended
substances, including the polluted substances in the runoff of the Lena. The existence of
protected lands (preserves) and industrial (navigation; floating and storing of timber;
commercial hunting and fishing) areas allows to study the mutial influence of human being
and the environment and the natural biological processes.
The IBS is located on the very east channel of the Lena Delta - “Bykovsky”,
aproximately 70 kilometres from Tiksi. In summer, one can go to the station by air
(helicopter, 1 hour ) and by river (boat, 2 hours) from Tiksi and passenger ship (3 days)
from Yakutsk by the Lena River. It is possible to go by motor-boat and by launch along the
Lena River Delta. About 20 persons can live in the station. There is a bath, hot and cold
water supply, electricity (220V; 50Hz). The international communication is conducted by
fax, E-mail from the IBS office in Tiksi. There is an office of the station, in Yakutsk,
which coordinates the scientific researches.
Dr. Vladimir POZDNYAKOV phone., fax: +7(4112) 34 12 90 e-mail: sterh@yacc.yakutia.su
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Bird watching tour to the Lena delta |
"Orto-doydu" Tourist Complex |
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